Ansah is a bigger concern for the Detroit Lions because he's expected to start on the defensive line. He has declined to say when he expects to rejoin the team, but was working individually with a trainer during Tuesday's practice.

He even was hitting a practice dummy, arms extended, a good sign he is nearing a return.

Jones also has started working out individually, including running after practice. But he's not catching passes yet and is unsure whether he'll be ready for the start of the season.

"Depends on how long my body wants to heal," he told MLive after Tuesday's practice. "Right now I'm just focused on coming back as strong and as healthy as I can be, for whenever that day is.

"I mean, I'm ready now. By the time the season comes, I'm going to want to be ready. But we'll just have to make that decision then, based on how my body is. I wanted to be out there today. Missing days, even though it's just practice right now, it's not fun."

Jones is a sixth-round pick out of Notre Dame. The more time he misses, the longer his odds become of making the team.

He injured his shoulder Dec. 28 in Notre Dame's win against Rutgers in the Pinstripe Bowl. The pain lingered for about six months before doctors diagnosed the specific problem.

He declined to disclose that issue.

Jones watches every practice with a script of plays in front of him so that he can absorb the playbook and his role in it. He said he's focusing on the "Z" and "F" positions -- "F" is the slot in this scheme -- but also is slowly learning the "X," which is Calvin Johnson's spot.

"Trying to learn the offense in its entirety so that I don't get pigeonholed," he said.